Kalani+BrightLBF

Executive Summary
The Boring experiences had high levels of behaviors which were not at all expected. Interacting with other learners, the instructor, or technologies were not at all expected. Additionally moving around, performing, thinking creatively, and thinking critically were also not at all expected by a majority.

In the boring experiences listening, watching, remembering, and sitting still were the only expected behaviors in the majority for the boring experience. The interesting experience had expectations for all of the categories except sitting still (which is an inactive experience). Through analyzing the survey results the more active the learning has a direct correlation with how interesting the experience is.

What makes learning Boring?
Several respondents listed the lack of interaction or two way communication with their instructor but also with fellow classmates corresponding to their boring experiences. When there was limited interaction either with a group or the instructor the respondents would frequently describe the experience as boring. When several respondents described boring experiences some would mention the only interesting time was when they worked with fellow classmates. Typically the boring experience was having the intructor sit or stand in front of the class without any interest or tonal change without asking if anyone had questions.
 * Lack of personal interaction**

Several survey takers have gripes about the lack of freedom in projects or not being allowed to be creative. Having the ability to choose how they approached and related the work to their own interests in a creative fashion was important to many people and by not having that turned them off to the learning experience.
 * No Freedom / Creativity**

Several respondents cited or referenced confusing topics. However their major issue was how the materials were presented and at what pace. Had the materials been more thoughtfully prepared for the presentation perhaps there would have been a better response. Many people thought the materials were either to fast, or too slow and balancing the material to the overall audience should be a objective for the instructor.
 * Disorganized / Confusing Presentation**

Several bored writers listed a dry boring lecture with no breaks as their boring experience. They listed a lack of activities in too long of a stretch of time. If things had more of a mixture of materials and if breaks were reasonably placed their experience might have been different.
 * Lack of breaks & places in time for interactive activities**

Several people listed the instructor themselves as being boring. With a monotone dry voice reading to them verbatim from his mentally inscribed speech with no facial expressions or excitement or an instructor that just didn't know how to speak and make the subject matter interesting (e.g. rambling). The instructors asking questions was never mentioned in any of the boring experiences. Also a sense of humor is not commonly found in a boring experience.
 * Dry tone, disinterested instructor, bad speaking skills**

What makes learning Fun?
Several students found the subject matter interesting and self engaged themselves. Some didn't list any other notable reasons secondary to the subject matter. Interest in a subject helps a student to engage into the material.
 * Self Engaging due to Subject Matter**

Interaction with other students helped to make the material more meaningful to the students. By working out of a group helped to make the the experience fun and being able to share ideas and give feedback was important to many students. By interacting students were able to support each other. With that support many students felt more comfortable.
 * Interaction with others**

The instructor was able to connect to the students emotionally to the subject matter and engage them to a level past the materials presented. Giving a new meaning to the materials past the confines of the classroom walls which students found interesting.
 * Inspiring/Inspirational**

Many learners like the hands on nature and describe hands on interactive activities. Hands on activities are obviously quite engaging.
 * Hands-on**

Learners were encouraged to speak and share their ideas. By knowing they were free to share their ideas they felt more comfortable in the class; the classroom became more active; and the learning experience became fun.
 * Encouragement to speak**

Implications
Learners aren't tape recorders. They aren't camera's. They aren't memory cards. They aren't chairs. They are dynamic breathing personalities who like to become excited in things they do; learning included. Passive experiences of looking, listening, remembering, and sitting quietly in a chair are boring. They want to have fun be involved, be part of a group, and have freedom in what they do. Lecturing and teaching are different things. It's important for instructors to be aware of this fact.